You know something is wrong when you start shivering and sweating at the same time. Chances are your body is trying to tell you something. But what could it mean? Are you hot? Are you cold? What do you do? How do you stop excessive body sweating in the dead of winter? To answer at least some of your questions, below are the five most common causes of the ?cold sweat.?
- You?re not getting enough oxygen. Take a moment and check your breathing. Is it smooth and deep or short and shallow? Focus for a moment on breathing normally and take a short walk around the room to get your blood flowing.
- Your blood sugar is low. When your glucose level is low, it causes your body to produce adrenaline in order to compensate for the lack of nutrition. This is called hypoglycemia, and it basically switches on your nervous system, causing you to sweat. Also, when you?re hungry, your body produces insulin to prepare for digestion. When the insulin and the adrenaline mix, your body could react in unusual ways.
- You have a thyroid problem. If you find that your armpits are constantly damp, despite the weather, you may have an overactive thyroid. Of course, hyperthyroidism can cause all sorts of serious problems with your bones and heart, so if you are having additional symptoms of the disorder, see a doctor immediately. Fortunately, hyperthyroidism can be managed with medication.
- You?re experiencing side effects of a medication. Sweating is a side effect of many prescriptions, including anti-depressants, blood pressure medication, and even some flu remedies. Take a look at your prescription and talk to your doctor about your side effects. To stop excessive body sweating in this case, try exercise and relaxation and avoid caffeine and sugar.
- You have hyperhidrosis. About 8 million Americans suffer from hyperhidrosis, which causes them to sweat up to four or five times as much as the average person. Symptoms include sweating excessively and regularly on your face, palms, feet, or arm pits. Fortunately, there are hyperhidrosis treatments such as the iontophoresis machine, which works to shut down the sweat glands.
If you regularly find yourself sweating when you?re cold, talk to your doctor about possible conditions and treatments.
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